Pocket apparatus for holding a sheet of material

ABSTRACT

A pocket square holding apparatus for displaying a portion of a pocket square, the pocket square holding apparatus including a housing configured to be disposable in the pocket of the user, a resilient material, supported by the housing for removably securing the pocket square to the housing and an extension member connected to the housing and selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position for adjusting the length of the housing so that at least a portion of the pocket square supported by the pocket square holding apparatus is visible wherein the pocket square holding apparatus is disposed in the chest or breast pocket of a coat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At social occasions and in the employment arena it is of utmost importance to the well dressed man that his appearance be neat and tidy. One of the first things one notices about a well-dressed man is whether the pocket square in the breast pocket of his coat is neatly folded and appropriately positioned. If the pocket square is neatly folded and properly positioned it projects the image of a competent organized efficient man. If his pocket square is haphazardly stuffed into the breast pocket of a coat in a tangled disheveled manner one naturally assumes that this man is not particularly concerned about details or the image that he projects. Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus for holding and maintaining a neatly folded pocket square in the breast pocket of a coat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a pocket square disposed in a breast pocket of a coat utilizing a pocket square holding apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway, front elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of the present invention, an extension member of the pocket square holding apparatus being shown in a substantially retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway, rear elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of the present invention wherein the extension member of the pocket square holding apparatus is shown in a partially extended position.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway, front elevational view of another embodiment of a pocket square holding apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, an extension member of the pocket square holding apparatus being shown in a substantially retracted position.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway, rear elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the pocket square holding apparatus of FIG. 5 wherein the extension member is shown in a partially extended position.

FIGS. 8-11 illustrate one method for folding a handkerchief into a pocket square for use with the pocket square holding apparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate another method for folding a handkerchief into a pocket square for use with the pocket square holding apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, shown therein is a pocket square holding apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The pocket square holding apparatus 10 (illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1) is disposed within a breast or chest pocket 12 of a coat 14 and a pocket square 16 formed from a handkerchief or piece of material is supported in the breast or chest pocket 12 of the coat 14 by the pocket square holding apparatus 10. As will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 2-4, the pocket square holding apparatus 10 is provided with a housing 18, a support member 20 for securing and stabilizing the pocket square 16 on the housing 18, and an extension or bale member 22 selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position so that the overall length of the housing 18 can be adjusted depending on the length of the breast or chest pocket 12 of the coat 14. That is, the extension or bale member 22 enables the length of the housing 18 to be varied so that the pocket square 16 supported by the pocket square holding assembly 10 can be maintained at a proper position and height in the breast pocket 12 of the coat 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the housing 18 of the pocket square holding apparatus 10 is provided with a front portion 24 (FIGS. 2 and 4), a rear portion 26 (FIGS. 3 and 4), an upper end 28, a lower end 30, a first side 32 and a second side 34. A recessed portion 35 is formed in the lower end 30 of the housing 18 to assist one in grasping the extension or bale member 22 for selectively moving the extension or bale member 22 between the retracted and the extended position as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

The dimensions of the housing 18 can vary widely, the only requirement being that the housing have a length and width which permits the pocket square holding apparatus 10 to be disposed in the breast or chest pocket 12 of the coat 14 and secure the pocket square 16 in a proper position within the breast or chest pocket 12. Desirable results have been obtained where the housing 18 is provided with a length of from about 3 to about 4 inches, a width of from about 2.5 to about 4 inches and a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.3 inches. However, as previously stated, the overall length of the housing 18, and thus the pocket square holding apparatus 10, can be readily adjusted by extending the extension or bale member 22 outwardly from the lower end 30 of the housing 18.

The housing 18 of pocket square holding apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4 is of unitary construction and can be fabricated of any suitable material having sufficient strength to support the pocket square 16 in a proper position when the pocket square 16 is connected to the housing 18 via the support member 20. Examples of materials from which the housing 18 of the pocket square holding apparatus 10 can be fabricated include, by way of example but not limitation, polymeric materials, both natural and synthetic, fiber board, cardboard, wood and the like.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the extension or bale member 22 is a substantially U-shaped member having a first leg 36, a spatially disposed, substantially parallel second leg 38 and a substantially horizontally disposed member 40 extending between and connected to a first end 42 of the first leg 36 and a first end 44 of the second leg 38 of the extension or bale member 22. The extension or bale member 22 is connected to the housing 18 so that the extension or bale member 22 is selectively movable between a retracted position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and an extended position (the extension or bale member 22 being shown in a partially extended position in FIG. 4). Thus, so that the overall length of the pocket square holding assembly 10 can be varied to ensure proper positioning of the pocket square 16 in the breast or chest pocket 12 of the coat 14 when the pocket square 16 is connected to or supported by the pocket square holding apparatus 10.

To connect the extension or bale member 22 to the housing 18 of the pocket holding apparatus 10, the housing 18 is provided with a first channel 46 extending from the lower end 30 of the housing 18 and terminating a distance from the upper end 28 of the housing 18. The first channel 46 is disposed in close proximity to the first side 32 of the housing 18 substantially as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A second channel 48 extends from the lower end 30 of the housing 18 and terminating a distance from the upper end 28 of the housing 18. The second channel 48 is disposed in close proximity to the second side 34 of the housing 18 substantially as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The first and second channels 46 and 48 are sized to matingly receive the first and second legs 36 and 38, respectively, of the extension or bale member 22 and to frictionally stabilize same therein when the extension or bale member 22 is in either the retracted or the extended position.

The length of the first and second legs 36 and 38 of the extension or bale member 22 can vary widely but desirably will be less than the length of the housing 18 so that, in a retracted position of the extension or bale member 22, distal or second ends 50 and 52 of the first and second legs 36 and 38, respectively, of the extension or bale member 22 are disposed a distance from the upper end 28 of the housing 18.

The extension or bale member 22 can be fabricated of any suitable material capable of supporting the housing 18 and the pocket square 16 when the extension or bale member 22 is in the extended position. Examples of material from which the extension or bale member 22 can be fabricated include wire, polymeric material, cardboard, wood and the like. Further, the size of the extension or bale member 22 can vary widely and will depend on the size of the housing 18, the size of the channels 46 and 48, and the manner in which the extension or bale member 22 is connected to the housing 18. However, desirable results have been obtained wherein the extension or bale member 22 is constructed of wire having a cross sectional diameter of from about 0.050 inches to about 0.1 inches.

The support member 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 as a band of elastomeric material extending about a portion of the housing 18. The support member 20 can be slidably disposed on the housing 18 or the support member 20 can be connected to a portion of the housing 18, such as the rear portion 26 thereof. In either event, the elasticity of the support member 20 permits the portion of the support member 20 disposed adjacent the front portion 24 of the housing 18 to be extended away from the housing 18 so that the pocket square 16 can be disposed between the front portion 24 of the housing 18 and the support member 20. Once the pocket square 16 has been properly placed on the front portion 24 of the housing 18, the support member 20 is allowed to retract and thereby engage a portion of the pocket square 16 so that the pocket square 16 is secured in a stable position on the housing 18 of the pocket square holding apparatus 10.

The support member 20 can be fabricated of any material which permits the pocket square 16 to be positioned thereunder so that the pocket square 16 is properly positioned on the front portion 24 of the housing 18. The width of the support member 20 can also vary widely, however, desirable results have been obtained where the support member 20 is provided with a width of from about one inch to about two inches.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, shown therein is another embodiment of a pocket square holding apparatus 100 constructed in accordance of the present invention. The pocket square holding apparatus 100 includes a housing 102, a support member 104 for securing and stabilizing a pocket square (not shown) on the housing 102, the pocket square being similar to the pocket square 16 hereinbefore described, and an extension member 106. The housing 102 of the pocket square holding apparatus 100 is provided with a front portion 108 (FIGS. 5 and 7), a rear portion 110 (FIGS. 6 and 7), an upper end 112, a lower end 114, a first side 116 and a second side 118. A recessed portion 120 is formed in the lower end 114 of the housing 100 to assist one in grasping the extension or bale member 106 for selectively moving the extension or bale member 106 between the retracted position and the extended position.

The dimensions of the housing 102 can vary widely, the only requirement being that the housing 102 have a length and width which permits the pocket square holding apparatus 10 to be disposed in the breast or chest pocket of a coat in the same manner that the pocket square holding apparatus 10 is disposed in the breast or chest pocket 12 of the coat 14 so that the pocket square can be stabilized in a proper position within the breast or chest pocket of the coat. As previously indicated, the overall length of the housing 102, and thus the pocket square holding apparatus 100, can be readily adjusted by extending the extension or bale member 106 outwardly from the lower end 114 of the housing 102. While the overall length and width of the housing 102 can vary widely, desirable results have been obtained wherein the housing 102 is provided with a length of from about 3 to about 4 inches, a width of from about 2.5 to about 4 inches and a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 0.3 inches.

The housing 102 is formed of a first or front section 122 and a second or rear section 124 (FIG. 7). The first and second sections 122 and 124 are mirror images of each other and are connected together by any suitable connecting mechanism, such as adhesives, screws, clamps, brads, bolts and the like. The first and second sections 122 and 124, in the connected position, cooperate to define a first channel 126 and a second channel 128 which extend from the lower end 114 of the housing 102 and terminate a distance from the upper end 112 of the housing 102. The first channel 126 is disposed in close proximity to the first side 116 of the housing 102 (FIG. 5); and the second channel 128 is disposed in close proximity to the second side 118 of the housing 102 (FIG. 6). For reasons which will be more fully described hereinafter, a first stop member 130 is disposed within the first channel 126 at a position substantially adjacent the lower end 114 of the housing 102, and a second stop member 132 is disposed within the second channel 128 so as to be disposed substantially adjacent the lower end 114 of the housing 102. The first and second stop members 130 and 132 are configured and adapted to engage the extension member 106 so that when the extension member 106 is moved to an extended position removal of the extension member 106 from the first and second channels 126 and 128 of the housing 102 is restricted by the first and second stop members 130 and 132.

As previously stated, the housing 102 of the pocket square holding apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 5-7 is formed by connecting the first or front section 122 of the housing 102 to the second or rear section 124 of the housing 102. The first or front section 122 and the second or rear section 124 of the housing 102 can be fabricated of any suitable material having sufficient strength to support a pocket square in a proper position when a pocket square is connected to the housing 100 via the support member 104. Examples of materials from which the housing 102 of the pocket square holding apparatus 100 can be fabricated include, by way of example but not by limitation, polymeric materials, both natural and synthetic, fiber board, cardboard, wood and the like.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 5, the extension or bale member 106 is provided with a first leg 134, a spatially disposed, substantially parallel second leg 136 and a substantially horizontally disposed member 138 extending between and connected to a first end 140 of the first leg 134 and a first end 142 of the second leg 136 of the extension or bale member 106. A first ear or flange 144 extends inwardly from a distal end 146 of the first leg 134. Similarly, a second ear or flange 148 extends inwardly from a distal end 150 of a the second leg 136 substantially as shown. Thus, upon moving the extension or bale member 106 to an extended position inadvertent removal of the extension or bale member 106 from the first and second channels 126 and 128 formed in the housing 102 is prevented by the first ear or flange 144 selectively engaging the first stop member 130 and the second ear or flange 148 engaging the second stop member 132. While the distal ends 146 and 150 of the first and second leg members 134 and 136, respectively, have been shown as having inwardly disposed first and second ears or flanges 144, 148, it should be understood that the configuration of the distal ends 146 and 150 of the first and second leg members 134, 136 can be of any configuration as long as they are configured to selectively engage the first and second stop members 130, 132 and thus prevent inadvertent removal of the extension or bale member 106 from the first and second channels 126, 128 of the housing 102 when the extension or bale member 106 is moved to the extended position.

It should be noted that the first and second channels 126 and 128 of the housing 102 are sized to matingly receive the first and second legs 134 and 136 of the extension or bale member 106 and to stabilize same when the extension or bale member 106 is in either the retracted or extended position.

The length of the first and second leg members 134 and 136 of the extension or bale member 106 can vary widely but desirably will be less than the length of the housing 102. This is desirable so that, in the retracted position, the distal ends 146 and 150 of the first and second leg members 134, 136 having the first and second ears or flanges 144 and 148 supported thereon are disposed a distance from the upper end 112 of the housing 102.

The extension or bale member 106 can be fabricated of any suitable material capable of supporting the housing 102 and a pocket square when the extension or bale member 106 is in the extended position. Examples of materials from which the extension or bale member 106 can be fabricated are wire, polymeric material, cardboard, wood and the like. Further, the size of extension or bale member 106 can vary widely and will depend on the size of the housing 102, the size of the first and second channels 126 and 128, and the manner of the extension or bale member 106 is connected to the housing 102. However, desirable results have been obtained wherein the extension or bale member 106 is constructed of wire of having a cross-sectional diameter of from about 0.5 inches to about 0.1 inches.

The support member 104, which secures and stabilizes a pocket square (not shown) on the housing 102 of the pocket square holding apparatus 100, is illustrated as a band of elastic material extending about a portion of the housing 102. The support member 104 is characterized as having a first end portion 152 and an opposed second end portion 154. The first end portion 152 is disposed between the first or front section 122 and the second or rear section 124 of the housing 102 and the second end portion 154 is likewise dispose between the first or front section 122 and the second or rear section 124 of the housing 102 substantially as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, upon securing the first and second end portions 152 and 154 between the first or front section 122 and the second or rear section 124 of the housing 102, a medial portion 156 of the support member 104 extends across the first or front section 122 of the housing 102 substantially as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the elasticity of the support member 104 permits the medial portion 156 of the support member 104 to be extended away from the first or front section 122 of the housing 102 so that a pocket square (not shown) can be disposed between the first or front section 122 of the housing 102 and the support member 104. Once the pocket square has been properly placed on the first or front section 122 of the housing 102, the support member 104 is allowed to retract and thereby engage a portion of the pocket square so as to secure the pocket square in a stable position on the housing 18 in a manner similar to the securing of the pocket square 16 on the housing 18 by the support member 20 as herein before described with reference to FIGS. 2-4.

The support member 104 can be fabricated of any material which permits a pocket square to be positioned thereunder so that the pocket square is properly positioned on the housing 102. The width of the support member 104 can also vary widely, however, desirable results have been obtained where the support member 104 is provided with a width of from about 1 inch to about 2 inches.

Any method for folding a pocket square can be employed to form the pocket square 16 for use with the pocket square holding apparatus 10 or the pocket square holding apparatus 100 of the present invention. FIGS. 8-11 illustrate one method for folding a handkerchief into the pocket square 16 for use with the pocket square holding apparatus 10 and 100 of the present invention; and FIGS. 12-15 illustrate another method for folding a handkerchief into the pocket square 16 for use with the pocket square holding apparatus 10 or 100. While two methods are shown in FIGS. 8-11 and 12-15, it should be understood that any method for folding a handkerchief or a piece of material to produce the pocket square 16 can be employed.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-11 to fold a handkerchief or square of material into the pocket square 16, one grasps the handkerchief or square of material in its center and allows the points to hang in a downwardly direction (FIG. 8). Thereafter, the bottom of the hand is slid down and the square is pinched at the center (FIG. 9). Thereafter, the points are folded up behind the pinched portion (FIG. 10) to form the pocket square 16 which can then be secured to the pocket square holding apparatus 10 or 100 via there respective support members 20 and 106 so that the pocket square 16 supported by either the pocket square holding apparatus 10 or the pocket square holding apparatus 100 can be positioned within the breast or chest pocket of a coat such as the breast or chest pocket 12 of the coat 14 shown in FIG. 1.

Another method for producing the pocket square 16 is shown in FIGS. 12-15 of the drawings. Initially, the handkerchief or square of material is grasped in its center so that the points extend in an upwardly direction (FIG. 12). While holding the square or handkerchief in the pinched condition, one slides their other hand up and pinches the material at the center (FIG. 13). Thereafter, one folds the bottom half of the material up behind the other half (FIG. 14). Once the pocket square 16 has been properly formed, the pocket square 16 is secured to the housing 18 of the pocket square holding apparatus 10 or the housing 102 of the pocket square holding apparatus 100 via their respective support members 20 and 104. Once the pocket square 16 has been secured to the pocket square holding apparatus 10 or 100, the pocket square apparatus is inserted into the breast or chest pocket of the coat, such as the breast or chest pocket 12 of the coat 14 shown in FIG. 1. If required, the extension or bale member 22 of the pocket square holding apparatus 10 and/or the extension or bale member 108 of the pocket square holding apparatus 100 can be moved to a desired extended position so as to properly position the pocket square 16 in the breast or chest pocket 12 of the coat 14.

From the above description it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to obtain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that members changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are published within the spirit of the invention disclosed and is defined in the appended claims. 

1. A pocket square holding apparatus for displaying a pocket square disposed in a breast pocket of a coat, the pocket square holding apparatus comprising: a housing disposable in at least a portion of the breast pocket; a support member associated with the housing for removably securing the pocket square to the housing; and an extension member connected to the housing, the extension member selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position for adjusting the length of the housing so that, when the housing is disposed in the breast pocket of the coat, a portion of the pocket square is visible.
 2. The pocket square holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member is constructed of an elastic material.
 3. The pocket square holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member extends about at least a portion of the housing.
 4. The pocket square holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support member is formed of a resilient material and wherein the support member is connected to at least a portion of a rear portion of the housing.
 5. The pocket square holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is provided with a first channel and a substantially parallel, spatially disposed second channel and wherein the extension member has a substantially U-shaped configuration having a first leg member and a second leg member and wherein the first leg member is slidably disposed in the first channel of the housing and the second leg member is slidably disposed in the second channel of the housing whereby the extension member is selectively movable between the retracted position and the extended position.
 6. The pocket square holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is formed of a front portion and a rear portion which are connected together, the front and rear portions cooperating to form a first channel and a spatially disposed second channel, and wherein the extension member is connected to the housing via the first and second channels so that the extension member is selectively movable between the retracted position and the extended position.
 7. The pocket square holding apparatus of claim 6 wherein the housing further comprises a first stop member extending into the first channel and a second stop member extending into the second channel, the first and second stop members adapted to engage flanges supported on the extension member so that the extension member remained connected to the housing when the extension member is moved to the extended position.
 8. The pocket square holding apparatus of claim 7 wherein the extension member is a substantially U-shaped member having first leg member and a substantially parallel second leg member and wherein a distal end portion of each of the first and second leg members is provided with inwardly disposed ears which selectively engage the first and second stop members in the first and second channels when the extension members are in the extended position.
 9. The pocket square holding apparatus of 6 wherein the housing is provided with a recessed portion in a lower end thereof to facilitate grasping of the extension member for moving the extension member to the extended position.
 10. The pocket square holding apparatus of claim 8 wherein the support member is provided with a first end portion, a medial portion and a second end portion and wherein the first and second end portions are disposed between the front and rear portions of the housing such that the medial portion of the support member extends across a portion of the front portion of the housing.
 11. The pocket square holding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is provided with a recessed portion in a lower end thereof to facilitate grasping of the extension member for moving the extension member to the extended position.
 12. A method of displaying a pocket square in a breast pocket of a coat, the method comprising: providing a pocket square holding apparatus comprising: a housing configured so as to be disposable in the pocket; a support member associated with the housing for removably securing the pocket square to housing; an extension member retractabley associated with the housing for adjusting the housing such that an upper portion of the housing is disposed near a top edge of the pocket; providing a piece of material; folding the piece of material into a pocket square; disposing the pocket square between the housing and the support member such that the pocket square is removably secured between the housing and the support member and a portion of the pocket square extends beyond the upper portion of the housing; disposing the housing having the pocket square removably connected thereof into a breast pocket of a coat; and adjusting the extension member such that the upper portion of the housing is disposed near the top edge of the breast pocket and a portion of the pocket square is displayed above the top edge of the breast pocket. 